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hkskyline's Today in History Photo Thread
With coronavirus putting my travel plans to an abrupt halt, I've spent the past few months organizing my photos, reducing the editing backlog, and rediscovering on some wonderful memories. With a decent archive now, I will start a series of historic lookbacks on an irregular pattern to share.
On this day - July 16 in ... 2015 - Mumbai My driver pulled into their new state-of-the-art airport. What an astronomical improvement from the old building. Impressive both land-side and air-side, the only let-down was the Business Class lounge, but that's a First World problem. http://www.globalphotos.org/mumbai/2...6/IMG_0651.jpg 2018 - Rondane National Park, Norway I drove past a few observation points along the eastern stretches of this park on the way back south from Trondheim. The mountains mixed with river scenes shone under the blue sky. http://www.globalphotos.org/norway/2...6/IMG_8605.jpg 2019 - Taipei After a busy day working, I was re-energized by a late snack at this outdoor night market, albeit under the intense summer heat. I won't have a complete dinner here though, but after getting gorged in fancy and classy food elsewhere, I saved a little room to top it up here. http://www.globalphotos.org/taipei/2...6/IMG_7549.jpg |
On this day - July 19 in ...
2016 - Seoul I went up the new Conrad hotel's bar on the 37th floor to check out the river view. This is a good place for a pre-dinner drink. Yeouido is one of the new business districts south of the river with a lower profile than nearby Gangnam. https://www.globalphotos.org/southko...9/IMG_9591.jpg |
On this day - July 30 in ...
2014 - Shanghai Braving the intense 37C summer heat, I watched yet another supertall building go up in Shanghai's Pudong district. 1 more observation deck option to visit once it's done. There is no shortage of such in these few blocks. https://www.globalphotos.org/shangha...0/IMG_7108.jpg |
On this day - July 31 in ...
2015 - Singapore The Marina Bay Sands casino hoped to attract more tourists to the country, while slapping a huge entrance fee on locals to prevent them from gambling. Apparently, what's not good for Singaporeans is great for outsiders. Beyond the gambling, there are a number of higher-end restaurants on its rooftop deck, but many seem to be drawn by the infinity pool set against the skyline instead. So on a blue sky day, I decided to visit to enjoy lunch with a view. https://www.globalphotos.org/singapo...1/IMG_2791.jpg |
On this day - August 10 in ...
2019 - Dalian Chinese cities change quickly, and a new district of modern buildings has arisen east of the historic quarter with European-style architecture and grand squares. I first visited Dalian in 2012 for a weekend break. Back then, there was no metro network and the city was very laid-back with historic trams roaming the streets and nobody was in a hurry. http://www.globalphotos.org/dalian/2...0/IMG_9997.jpg |
nice -- yeah i am starting to hate those "5 years ago" pop up pics on my instagram lol.
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On this day - August 21 in ...
2018 - Perth Perth has a few free bus lines that traverse the important tourist sites in the city centre. My hotel was on this line and it was a short ride into the main train station. Further out at the end of the Green CAT line is Leederville. This part of town has cafes, small shops, and lots of murals. http://www.globalphotos.org/perth/20180821/IMG_2868.jpg 2016 - Sydney Having been impressed with the Tram Museum, I was excited to see the Bus Museum as well, which had only recently opened. Fresh off the plane and knowing this place opens only a few days a month, I rushed to QVB to take their free vintage shuttle to the museum site. http://www.globalphotos.org/sydney/2...1/IMG_0369.jpg |
On this day - September 8 in ...
2017 - Lausanne What country's wine do you like? France, Chile, or Italy? How about Switzerland? Just a short train ride out of Lausanne, the Lavaux Vineyards spread along the hillsides with many easy hiking paths to enjoy them. I saw the grapes up close and personal (please, no tasting) and soaked up some rays in a productive afternoon walk. http://www.globalphotos.org/switzerl...8/IMG_5153.jpg 2016 - Queenstown, New Zealand The tourist literature advised not to drive your rental car into Milford Sound in the late winter due to the risk of avalanche, which would be very costly to then fish your car out. I didn't want to risk such a potential downside cost as well as an 8-hour roundtrip drive, so I picked a cheap coach-cruise-coach tour to do the heavy lifting. With a major snowstorm to greet my arrival into Queenstown the day before, the scenery en route was quite magical. Despite the blue skies, we are all at the mercy of Mother Nature in these remote parts, so I didn't have much reaction when the driver told us we had to turn back due to a tree avalanche just a short distance from arriving. At least I got a refund for the trip. http://www.globalphotos.org/newzeala...8/IMG_5908.jpg |
On this day - September 15 in ...
2017 - Aletsch Glacier I decided to forgo the expensive Glacier Express ticket and take local trains from Zermatt to St. Moritz. The route and views are exactly the same, but I could run around the train taking photos from both sides and hopefully bypass the tourist crowds. Along the way, I made a stop at the Aletsch Glacier as clouds started rolling through. The mountains look so much better under blue sky. http://www.globalphotos.org/switzerl...5/IMG_9427.jpg |
Great photos and captions HK! Have booked an afforable ticket to travel on this thread and look forward to the next stops (as you look back).
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On this day - September 24 in ...
2013 - Busan Jagalchi Fish Market is an incredible place with escaping octopus, kimchi, dried seaweed, and all their other cousins and friends. In this part of Asia, fish markets are a delight and the controlled chaos is interesting to experience. Language barrier was a problem to order a proper meal, but scanning the outdoor rows of stalls was already a delight. Back when I had an apartment with a kitchen in Seoul, I would frequently buy up some fresh seafood at the fancy supermarket and cook up a spaghetti. My Busan motel didn't offer a kitchen though. http://www.globalphotos.org/southkor...4/IMG_2152.jpg I had stayed right on Haeundae Beach on my first visit to Korea, with my hotel picked specifically for proximity to the sand castle festival. Years later, I was surprised to find new and tall glassy towers in the distance. That's a sweet view. http://www.globalphotos.org/southkor...4/IMG_2486.jpg |
On this day - October 13 in ...
2013 - Beijing While tourists flood into the Forbidden City and the National Museum of China across the street, there are other museums throughout the country as well as in Beijing to enjoy some historic artifacts. Would you mind being served a drink with this exquisite device on display at the Capital Museum? https://www.globalphotos.org/beijing...3/IMG_9045.jpg 2017 - Turpan Depression, Xinjiang This oasis 200 feet below sea level is among the lowest places we can visit. While it may look empty and arid, locals have adapted to use mountain runoff to grow melons and grapes. I feasted on dried grapes here and enjoyed seeing the ruins of a mud city preserved by the climate. Jiaohe pictured here is believed to be 2300 years old. http://www.globalphotos.org/silkroad...3/IMG_8016.jpg |
On this day - October 20 in ...
2013 - Beijing Beijing's subway system has expanded tremendously in recent years. The Temple of Heaven now has its own subway stop which makes access easy. This round structure is quite unique and imposing given all the parkland around it. I wonder if they would let a drone fly up and capture some aerials? http://www.globalphotos.org/beijing/...0/IMG_2118.jpg 2019 - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada I had not expected huge crowds to see the fall colours outside Toronto, but this place was incredibly busy. You need to park away from the conservation area, pay for admission, then hop on a school bus to bring you to the trail. The trouble is more than compensated by this very IG-able spot. I've been told physical barriers have been installed to prevent hikers from getting to this rock this year. http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/...0/IMG_6210.jpg |
On this day - November 4 in ...
2018 - Taipei Yongkang Street is quite famous for eating, and this beef noodle shop is an institution, with a long line frequently snaking out from its entrance. Eating well in Taiwan does not necessarily cost an arm and a leg either. http://www.globalphotos.org/taipei/2...4/IMG_0765.jpg |
On this day - Nov 15 in ...
2012 - Sydney With summer approaching, I roamed around the CBD looking for a nice place to eat that would not break the bank. This was a difficult task. The Shangri-La had a top-floor bar and restaurant that could barely fit my budget. I thought this view alone was worth the expense. Trying to fit into their opening hours and having the weather agree for the visit can get difficult at times. http://www.globalphotos.org/sydney/2...5/IMG_5615.jpg |
Wonderful photo essay and captions.
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On this day - Nov 23 in ...
2014 - Mumbai Riding the rails is quite an adventure in the city. From newspaper reports, there are daily deaths when people cross the tracks and get hit by moving trains. There are no doors so you can dangle out and enjoy the breeze. Even First Class looked like a prison car with the windows covered in mesh netting and seats arranged to impede a quick exit in case of an emergency. http://www.globalphotos.org/mumbai/2...3/IMG_7001.jpg |
On this day - Nov 25 in ...
2018 - Kinmen, Taiwan This small territory within viewing distance of Xiamen was a major frontline in the Chinese civil war. 100,000 Nationalist soldiers were once stationed here in the 1950s anticipating and repelling the Communist invasion. It was off limits to visitors until fairly recently, which meant its laid-back lifestyle and historical architecture have survived. The irony is Xiamen is far more prosperous on the other side of the strait now and Kinmen has become a novelty day trip option for them to see life on the other side of the divide. I stayed in the village of Qionglin away from the tourist crowds. There are many preserved Fujian-style houses, shrines, and ancestral halls, some of which have become B&Bs offering a very interesting and authentic experience in local life. http://www.globalphotos.org/kinmen/2...5/IMG_2950.jpg |
On this day - Nov 27 in ...
2017 - Kyoto This place is a hotbed for fall colours viewing. The experience is further enhanced by the many temples around town to provide an interesting setting. This also means the tourist crowds can spread out, although you need to do your homework beforehand looking for the less common temples and to check which places offer night viewing, which is an entirely different experience. http://www.globalphotos.org/kyoto/20171127/IMG_0838.jpg |
On this day - Nov 30 in ...
2013 - Taroko Gorge, Taiwan While Taiwan's west coast is highly urbanized, its east coast is relatively empty. With tall mountains lining the middle dividing the 2 sides, the natural barrier has kept them fairly distinct. One of the few cross-island points is along the Taroko Gorge, where a highway was carved through the geography to connect Taichung with Hualien. Armed with a hard hat and a tour guide, it was a surreal short walk through a harrowing section of it. http://www.globalphotos.org/taipei/2...0/IMG_2476.jpg |
On this day - Dec 7 in ...
2010 - Luxor, Egypt A cruise down the Nile is a wonderful way to experience the country's historic sights, and the itineraries are quite relaxed with morning and late afternoon outings while the middle, hot part of the day are spent on board enjoy the views and good food. The cruise boat docked on the eastern side of the riverbank and to get to the western side for the hot air balloons and Valley of Kings, you have to take these cute little boats for the brief journey. http://www.globalphotos.org/egypt/20101207/IMG_0777.jpg |
On this day - Dec 8 in ...
2017 - Doha My first overnight stay in Doha was a pleasant surprise. While it is no match to Dubai's bling bling, the architecture is just as stunning. From the air, the new skyscraper district is a lot smaller and more confined, but I felt the locals' friendliness a lot more so I quite enjoyed this short break in the desert. http://www.globalphotos.org/doha/20171208/IMG_8549.jpg |
On this day - Dec 19 in ...
2017 - Graz, Austria I woke up bright and early to get up to the Schlossberg for an introductory view of the city. The fog in the distance made the scene surreal. Even the bold alien-like building below stands at a rather uniform height with its neighbours. http://www.globalphotos.org/graz/20171219/IMG_1579.jpg 2015 - Nuremberg, Germany My Christmas market tour around Germany began here, and I was quite impressed by its sheer size. With this hot wine to warm up on a chilly winter evening, I scoured around looking for some good food, from fruitcake to sausages and chocolate. This itinerary would repeat across a number of German towns for the next week. http://www.globalphotos.org/munich/2...9/IMG_0092.jpg |
On this day - Dec 21 in ...
2012 - Bangkok The Grand Palace is easily the most worthwhile attraction to visit in the city. While there is no train station nearby, it is walkable from the river boat stop. There was no shortage of tourist crowds, but I got some moments of tranquility to admire the gold and many more colours. http://www.globalphotos.org/bangkok/...1/IMG_8141.jpg 2013 - Hanoi, Vietnam My week-long excursion around north and central Vietnam got off to a good start. France's colonial legacy is still alive and well here with this ornate opera house, although the busy old quarter seemed more interesting to me. https://www.globalphotos.org/vietnam...1/IMG_5209.jpg 2016 - Toronto A white Christmas is not always guaranteed as the coldest part of winter tends to start in January. Even though snow can fall in November already, it could have melted by the time December rolls around. This postcard shot with the Flatiron is quite a standard photo, and the St. Lawrence Market nearby is a lovely place to enjoy a nice meal. https://www.globalphotos.org/toronto...1/IMG_0130.jpg |
On this day - Dec 23 in ...
2013 - Hoi An, Vietnam Hoi An was once a bustling port where Chinese, Japanese, and European influences can still be felt. The Chinese community built a number of worship and assembly buildings around the old town. This one was for the Fujianese diaspora and its history dates from the late 17th century. Visiting these sights is easy with a day ticket that allows you to pick 5 from a long list to enter. http://www.globalphotos.org/vietnam/...3/IMG_6921.jpg 2015 - Würzburg, Germany I came to this large town at the northern end of the Romantic Road for the Christmas market that lights up at night. However, my daytime itinerary was still packed exploring churches, trams, and the castle. http://www.globalphotos.org/munich/2...3/IMG_2923.jpg 2018 - Xingyi, Guizhou Guizhou is famous for karst peaks, but they are far less frequented by international tourists as opposed to nearby Guilin. The tourist infrastructure has vastly improved with better highways, huge bridges across mountains and canyons, but the province is still quite poor. That meant less crowds and a better chance to appreciate nature without the rest of humanity surrounding me. https://www.globalphotos.org/guizhou...3/IMG_7384.jpg |
On this day - Dec 25 in ...
2011 - Tokyo I learned the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States, but they left a copy in Tokyo Bay. https://www.globalphotos.org/tokyo/2...5/IMG_0022.jpg 2014 - Yangon, Myanmar Since Myanmar's military government loosened its grip on power and Western countries relaxed its sanctions, tourists have began to return to the country. I felt quite safe walking along Yangon's streets and there was a lot of interesting architecture to see. The highlight of my day was sunset at the very golden Shwedagon Paya. http://www.globalphotos.org/myanmar/...5/IMG_9426.jpg 2019 - Dubai Dubai's architecture never fails to impress, and every time I go back there seems to be a new pocket of skyscrapers. Business Bay is only a short distance away from Burj Khalifa and I originally came for a recommended restaurant. http://www.globalphotos.org/dubai/20191225/IMG_4249.jpg |
On this day - Dec 26 in ...
2010 - rural Fujian American intelligence initially thought these were missile silos or nuclear facilities from the satellite. But these are just earthen buildings shaped uniquely for defense purposes. A whole family under the same surname a few hundred strong can reside in one of these structures. UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008 have brought them to fame and the tourists keep coming. http://www.globalphotos.org/xiamen/2...6/IMG_5413.jpg 2014 - Bagan, Myanmar After Angkor Wat, this was my 2nd favourite set of ancient ruins on the continent. They're spread out across a vast area, so my day trip by air was quite packed, hustling from one attraction to another. With shoes off required to enter the temples, I pretty much used up the entire box of wetnaps by the time I got back to the airport. http://www.globalphotos.org/myanmar/...6/IMG_0589.jpg |
On this day - Jan 1 in ...
2015 - Montréal Expecting bitterly cold temperatures, I decided to stop here en route to Toronto to update my long-outdated photoset. Winter brings its unique challenges especially since I liked to walk outdoors for long periods of time, but I needed a heating break, and the Notre Dame Basilica is a great place to warm up and be amazed. https://www.globalphotos.org/montrea...1/IMG_9577.jpg 2014 - rural Sichuan Getting to Hailougou was a painfully long journey that was at times treacherous due to winter weather. Authorities have built a cable car to access the glacier and I was surprised when altitude sickness kicked in. https://www.globalphotos.org/sichuan...1/IMG_1586.jpg 2012 - Dubai With lots of Asia Miles on hand, I redeemed a New Year's vacation to glitzy Dubai. However, even with an upgrade to Business Class, the red-eye was a bit too much for me and I ended up watching the countdown from the hotel and slept quickly after midnight. On New Year's Day, I quickly ventured along the infamous Sheikh Zayed Road to see the line of skyscrapers by riding the metro. http://www.globalphotos.org/dubai/20120101/IMG_7534.jpg |
On this day - Jan 4 in ...
2019 - Changchun, China This lesser known city actually played an important role in modern Chinese history, being home to an emperor's palace. However, this emperor was working for the Japanese invaders. Aisin-Gioro Puyi was the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty but had to leave the Forbidden City after the imperial system was overthrown. The Japanese brought him back to lead Manchukuo, a puppet state that would lead to a full invasion of China during World War II. http://www.globalphotos.org/manchuri...4/IMG_1374.jpg |
On this day - Jan 13 in ...
2018 - Chicago My previous visits to the Windy City were disappointing with bad weather, but this try got off to a wonderful start with a spectacular sunset as the plane looped around the city for landing. A deep freeze wouldn't stop me from venturing outside for the day exploring the architecture and empty streets. On the bright side, a nice hotel came at a bargain and my jet lag would guarantee an early start at sunrise. http://www.globalphotos.org/chicago/...3/IMG_8972.jpg |
On this day - Jan 27 in ...
2013 - Taipei Dihua Street was built in the 1850s and was historically a major shopping area for Chinese medicine, fabrics, and Chinese New Year accessories. This is a feast to the senses and quite challenging to manage the crowds! https://www.globalphotos.org/taipei/...7/IMG_5873.jpg 2020 - Taipei Until recently, Taipei was one of the rarer developed cities in the region with no train link to the airport. After many, many delays, the Taoyuan MRT finally opened in 2017, charging a bargain basement fare of USD about USD $5 equivalent. While I normally would have a driver on my business trips, I was lucky enough to travel plebian style on this Chinese New Year vacation to take the public transport option. I even dropped by beforehand to take pictures of the main station in Taipei and the in-town airport check-in facilities. http://www.globalphotos.org/taipei/2...7/IMG_9489.jpg |
:cheers:Hopefully we will soon see the back end of this pandemic so you can resume your travels and take more great photos!
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On this day - Feb 1 in ... 2014 - Penang Malaysia has been high on the radar for Hong Kongers looking for good food, cheap real estate, and an affordable retirement. Penang features quite high on the list with many locals speaking Cantonese and lots of stalls and shophouse gastronomy that scream 1960s Hong Kong. Many of its historic lowrise architecture is in decay but I actually prefer this more authentic feel than a heavily renovated street that no longer accurately depicts its age. http://www.globalphotos.org/penang/2...1/IMG_6220.jpg |
On this day - Feb 5 in ...
2015 - Dhaka, Bangladesh Comfortably seated inside my air-conditioned chauffeured transport, I was vastly outnumbered by the rickshaws. There were office workers dressed in fancy clothes riding one and even a rickshaw schoolbus. Nevertheless, we were all stuck in traffic together. https://www.globalphotos.org/dhaka/2...5/IMG_1521.jpg 2018 - Havana, Cuba Plaza de la Revolucion was designed in the 1920s to impress, just like Paris' Place de l'Etoile, with avenues radiating out from here. Unfortunately, the grandeur is tarnished by the ugly 1950's style government buildings around it. I was here to go up the Memorial a Jose Marti for a panoramic view of the city. http://www.globalphotos.org/havana/2...5/IMG_1345.jpg |
On this day - Feb 9 in ...
2020 - Mount Fuji, Japan Kawaguchiko is a good day trip or overnight option from Tokyo. But I wanted a cheaper hotel and first hand access in the morning before the tourist crowds emerge, so I stayed closer to town on the other side of Tokyo. The prize is Mount Fuji, which can be quite elusive. Luckily, I could easily spot it from my hotel room all the way to the top of the ropeway hours later. http://www.globalphotos.org/tokyo/20200209/IMG_1143.jpg 2016 - Krakow, Poland I don't tend to eat American fast food when travelling abroad, especially in Europe, but this McDonald's caught my attention. The dining area is actually a restored medieval cellar. Now this is a nice place to enjoy a burger! But I opted for a donut-like pastry snack available in kiosks around the Old Town. http://www.globalphotos.org/krakow/2...9/IMG_1598.jpg |
On this day - Feb 10 in ...
2018 - Yellowknife, Canada Finland, Iceland, and Norway seem to feature prominently on the aurora tourism calendar, but Yellowknife's statistics are quite impressive, with this natural phenomenon visible 240 days a year. I spotted them on all my 3 nights here. -30C didn't stop either me or my camera from seeing this incredible scene. http://www.globalphotos.org/yellowkn...0/IMG_3141.jpg 2016 - Auschwitz Concentration Camp Perhaps a cold, grey, and rainy winter day is the right setting to see this place of death. Auschwitz was liberated in January 1945 by the Soviets and a museum was created here in 1947 to present the murders that happened here during the Third Reich. This place is emotionally draining, and never believe that work sets you free. http://www.globalphotos.org/krakow/2...0/IMG_1615.jpg |
On this day - Feb 20 in ...
2016 - Bangkok Thailand's street markets are quite a feast on the eyes. Chatuchak is huge and I can easily spend a whole day exploring. My favourite stall was this coconut dessert. Remeber to scoop the coconut meat after you enjoy the ice cream and toppings. http://www.globalphotos.org/bangkok/...0/IMG_6224.jpg |
:tup: I would love to go to Thailand. Or anywhere in Southeast Asia, just for the food.
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Neat stuff. Your life seems to be one continuous adventure. You have such high quality beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing.
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I really like to travel, with these pictures I made a virtual trip because at the moment we can't travel like before. Recently I had to write an essay about tourism and its importance. But I admit that he helped me here this paper service and I am very grateful to them for their wonderful work.
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On this day - Feb 27 in ...
2018 - New York While there are number of observation decks in various parts of Manhattan, Freedom Tower's One World Observatory is iconic, especially since I had visited the old World Trade Center's observation deck before 9/11. The $35 general admission was a bit pricey but the blue sky was too good to not take advantage. The Empire State Building is no longer lonely up in Midtown. http://www.globalphotos.org/newyork/...7/IMG_5228.jpg |
On this day - Mar 2 in ...
2018 - Bogota, Colombia With a reputation of being a druglord-infested unsafe country, I set out on my first full day of sightseeing with cautious skepticism. The graffiti walking tour offered a wonderful introduction to the capital, and there was safety in numbers. There were plenty of artworks on display around the streets, although the guide mentioned it's a cat and mouse chase as authorities remove the graffiti regularly. http://www.globalphotos.org/colombia...2/IMG_6554.jpg |
On this day - Mar 5 in ...
2017 - Qingdao The Germans were once in Qingdao, as part of a number of European colonial powers' attempts to establish their exclusive zones in various Chinese cities. Built in 1908, the Governor's House looks a bit out of place in a Chinese city but has been preserved as a museum of a bygone era. http://www.globalphotos.org/shandong...5/IMG_9879.jpg 2018 - Medellin, Colombia Medellin's crime-infested reputation due to the drug trade is history. To revitalize its hillside slums which ironically have very nice views, a few cable cars have been built so residents can commute downhill to work, reducing their need to be sucked into the drug cycle in order to survive. It is still not totally safe to roam around here though, but friendly locals welcome the sight of tourists exploring these interesting neighbourhoods. https://www.globalphotos.org/colombi...5/IMG_8764.jpg 2019 - Kaohsiung In the past, southern Taiwan was branded as a cultural desert. While Taipei had a good MRT system and getting around was easy, Kaohsiung's MRT is a fairly recent project and there is a decent LRT network now as well. http://www.globalphotos.org/kaohsiun...5/IMG_2955.jpg |
On this day - Mar 8 in ...
2018 - Cartagena, Colombia After the graffiti and drug history tours, Cartagena offered a nice contrast to an otherwise tense journey through Bogota and Medellin. The atmosphere was a lot more relaxed and I was able to absorb the old town's history by living in a traditional lowrise inside the heart of all the action. Venturing outside the city walls, I was surprised at a long stretch of beach and many skyscrapers with beautiful sea views. There were some unaggressive touts selling their wares or a foot massage while the beach umbrellas were reasonably priced. This is a lovely place for a dip and relax for a few hours. However, I had a little difficulty finding an Uber back to town and it was quite a long drive! http://www.globalphotos.org/colombia...8/IMG_1160.jpg |
On this day - Mar 14 in ...
2015 - Luoyang, China The day trip out to Longmen Grottoes has gotten easier with a high-speed rail connection, although there is still a connecting taxi ride to the actual site. Over 2300 caves have been carved into the limestone cliffs over the centuries and the sheer scale is incredible. http://www.globalphotos.org/zhengzho...4/IMG_3130.jpg |
On this day - Mar 24 in ...
2017 - Jakarta With insufficient public transport, Jakarta's traffic can be an utter nightmare. I've been told just getting to the airport can take from an hour to 3 hours. Yet, getting away from the noise and pollution is fairly easy. From the comfort of my hotel apartment, I admired the beauty amidst the chaos. http://www.globalphotos.org/jakarta/...4/IMG_1278.jpg |
On this day - Apr 4 in ...
2012 - Xian Xian was China's imperial capital for centuries long before Beijing got famous. This central part of the country is actually where the Chinese civilization grew from. While this ancient city was razed multiple times over the dynasties, there is still a good selection of history to see. http://www.globalphotos.org/xian/20120404/IMG_9508.jpg 2015 - Tianjin A walk along the riverfront promenade is a must-do when visiting this city. Overshadowed by nearby Beijing, I quite enjoyed this city's historic buildings, including its colonial quarter. A nice hotel also doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The St. Regis pictured here is only about USD $100 a night. http://www.globalphotos.org/tianjin/...4/IMG_7384.jpg 2016 - Kunming Shilin Stone Forest is a popular day trip from Kunming with frequent buses departing from the eastern bus station. Its karst rocks are over 270 million years old and a well-manicured set of trails now makes visiting easy. However, the local tour companies wouldn't take me as I was a "foreigner" and didn't have a local phone number. After my visit, I suppose many tourmates get lost in this huge park so that's why they need your phone number in case they can't round up the troops at the end. http://www.globalphotos.org/kunming/...4/IMG_0731.jpg 2018 - Las Vegas I didn't come here for gambling, but quite enjoyed making my way around the casinos to see their beautiful decorations. Many were over the top, but this place is all about glitz and bling anyway. http://www.globalphotos.org/lasvegas...4/IMG_9416.jpg |
On this day - Apr 14 in ...
2018 - Washington DC Washington DC's cherry blossoms are quite incredible but probably off the typical sakura hunter's radar. Some 3000 trees line around the Tidal Basin and every spring, visitors are treated to a free feast. http://www.globalphotos.org/washingt...4/IMG_2859.jpg |
On this day - Apr 17 in ...
2017 - Fez, Morocco Fez's medina is a chaotic wonderland, with winding alleys full of different shops, donkey carts coming through, and everyday folks buying their daily needs. Getting lost inside is expected, but quite a lot of fun. This is the mother of all markets, although Istanbul's Grand Bazaar comes a close second. http://www.globalphotos.org/morocco/...7/IMG_5203.jpg 2016 - Singapore It is hot outside, as usual, so I preferred the skyline view from the comfort of my 5-star hotel room. I have stayed in a number of hotels nearby over the years. The Swissotel still has the best view because it is much taller. https://www.globalphotos.org/singapo...7/IMG_1663.jpg |
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